Roberto Martinez plays down talk of Arsenal swoop for James McCarthy as Everton are linked with Chelsea's Mohamed Salah

Action: Wilshere plays the ball under pressure from Everton's McCarthy back in August GETTY

Everton boss Roberto Martinez has stressed he has had no contact from Arsenal regarding James McCarthy and that he looks forward to seeing the midfielder stay with the Toffees "for a long, long time".

Fresh stories linking McCarthy with a move away from Goodison Park have emerged over the last few days, this time with the Gunners said to be interested in signing him in January.

Additionally, it has been suggested Everton are trying to tie the 24-year-old Republic of Ireland international, who they recruited from Wigan for £13million on a "long-term deal" in September 2013, to a new contract in a bid to ward off the interest.

West Brom v Arsenal: Player Ratings

West Brom v Arsenal: Player Ratings

1/25
Ben Foster: 6

Great first-half save from Welbeck, but moment of madness almost gifted Giroud a goal. Will be disappointed not to have kept out the goal.

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2/25
Andre Wisdom: 5

Exposed by Cazorla for the goal, and struggled to get forward as Arsenal piled on the pressure.

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3/25
Joleon Lescott: 7

Was composed and solid until Arsenal's pressure ultimately told.

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4/25
Craig Dawson: 6

Worked well with Lescott for the first hour to deny Arsenal the chances their domination warranted.

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5/25
Sebastien Pocognoli: 6

Made a crucial interception to deny Cazorla, but didn't get close enough to Welbeck for the goal.

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6/25
Craig Gardner: 6

Struggled to control the middle of the park as Arsenal kept possession for large periods, but almost scored with a late thunderbolt.

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7/25
Youssof Mulumbu: 5

Lucky to avoid giving away a first-half penalty and played himself into trouble to set up a chance for Aaron Ramsey.

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8/25
Chris Brunt: 5

Struggled to get into the game as the Gunners controlled the midfield.

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9/25
Graham Dorrans: 6

Used the ball well in the first half, but faded as the game went on.

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10/25
Stephane Sessegnon: 6

Supplied some bright moments of individual skill on the rare occasions he ran at the defence, but struggled to supply an end product.

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11/25
Saido Berahino: 7

Predictably offered West Brom's main goal threat after a quiet first half. Denied by a poor offside decision and almost beat Martinez at his near post, before hitting the bar with 10 minutes to go.

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12/25
Victor Anichebe: 6

Offered a physical threat but struggled to make an impact as a second half sub.

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13/25
Damian Martinez: 5

Never seriously tested, but looked suspect from crosses. Will have to show more to convince Wenger.

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14/25
Calum Chambers: 7

Good contribution in a solid team performance. Displayed lots of energy throughout.

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15/25
Per Mertesacker: 6

Left no gaps in Arsenal's defence and made a telling block in the 80th minute.

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16/25
Laurent Koscielny: 6

Timely interceptions in the penalty area, the Frenchman has been badly missed by Wenger's side.

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17/25
Nacho Monreal: 5

Went off injured and was unable to make a serious impact on the game.

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18/25
Mathieu Flamini: 6

Could have been dominant in today’s game, in what was a tidy display without noticeable incident or contribution.

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19/25
Aaron Ramsey: 6

Still trying to find his best form. Unlucky not to have scored but played well throughout.

20/25
Santi Cazorla: 8

Proved once again his importance to Arsenal, creating by far the most chances for his side.

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21/25
Alexis Sanchez: 6

Would have hoped to have made a more telling contribution - but again, a good performance from the Chilean.

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22/25
Danny Welbeck: 8

Scored Arsenal's winner with a beautiful header and was the visitors best player on the day.

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23/25
Olivier Giroud: 6

First start since returning from injury, the Frenchman put in a good performance but could have been more accurate with his finishing.

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24/25
Kieran Gibbs: 7

Heavily involved in Arsenal's attacking play, offering good interceptions and pace down the left side.

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25/25
Oxlade-Chamberlain: 5

Came on in the 77th minute looking for a goal but was lucky not to leave the pitch through injury.

McCarthy has been out of action nursing a hamstring problem, as has Toffees forward Steven Naismith, and both will undergo late fitness tests prior to Wednesday's match.

Martinez rates Naismith as having an "outside chance" of featuring, but is expecting the game will come too soon for McCarthy.

Of McCarthy, Martinez said: "He has showed good signs and we will continue to keep an eye on him.

"I think we need to get deep to the bottom of the problem, because it has been a little bit of a recurring one.

"It is just to do with the amount of games he has had to play.

"I think we could find the perfect formula for him to have the right training exposure and being able to cope with all the games. It is something we want to eradicate."

Midfielder Darron Gibson (knee) will not be involved and it remains to be seen whether defender Bryan Oviedo and forward Arouna Kone might after both played and scored in an Under-21s fixture on Monday as they continued to work towards match fitness.

Kone also joined Everton from Martinez's old club Wigan in the same summer as McCarthy, but has made just six first-team appearances since due a knee injury, his last run-out coming in October 2013.

Martinez said of the 31-year-old Ivory Coast frontman: "We'll have to be a little bit patient, but he looked really strong yesterday.

"It has been really frustrating as a new player coming into an exciting new club, because he hasn't been able to show what he can do. You can imagine that frustration really affects you - he is desperate to show what he can do.

"But the fans have been really good with the amount of messages we have received. He feels the right moment is coming and it is going to be a very emotional time for him once he can show what he can do to every Evertonian."

Mid-table Everton are set to face a former striker on Wednesday in Nikica Jelavic, who switched to Hull - currently struggling towards the bottom of the league, with no win in six games and defeats in each of their last four - in January.

"Coming back to Goodison will be a really good moment for him," said Martinez, whose side were unbeaten in eight matches in all competitions before Sunday's loss at Tottenham.

"We as a club always have a strong affection towards Niki and his career, and we wish him the best of luck - apart from tomorrow."